The Islanders are starting to remind me of Philly. Tons of talented forwards (Giroux, Voracek, Lecavlier for Philly; Vanek, Tavares, Grabner for Isles), but total liabilities in net & on D.

Also, I can't really blame the players or coaches in either case; Its the fault of a short-sighted GM and poor team building.
- s0rcerer1984

Grabner scored twice in the first game of the season and he hasn't scored since.

Grabner scored twice in the first game of the season and he hasn't scored since.
- canadianpenfan

Fair enough. But you could swap out Grabner for Okposo and I think my point still stands. Both Philly and Islanders have heavily invested (ie, Cap Space, Draft Picks, etc...) in the F posistion to such an extent that it has hurt their team on the back end.

And for my personnel preference, I still like Grabner. I would swap him out for Dupuis in a second. Love his speed. Would look great next to Sid. I know that isn't going to happen, but I can dream.

Fair enough. But you could swap out Grabner for Okposo and I think my point still stands. Both Philly and Islanders have heavily invested (ie, Cap Space, Draft Picks, etc...) in the F posistion to such an extent that it has hurt their team on the back end.

And for my personnel preference, I still like Grabner. I would swap him out for Dupuis in a second. Love his speed. Would look great next to Sid. I know that isn't going to happen, but I can dream.
- s0rcerer1984

Not disputing your post at all, i just think that's crazy.

Now your point about swapping out Dupuis for him, no, sorry, can't get behind that at all.

Not disputing your post at all, i just think that's crazy.

Now your point about swapping out Dupuis for him, no, sorry, can't get behind that at all.
- canadianpenfan

For the record, I don't dislike Dupuis. I like his forecheck & his speed works very well with Kunitz & Crosby. He's a hard worker too. I never really feel like he is taking a shift off.

I like Grabner for his speed and his immense skill. I don't think he is talented enough to anchor his own line, but could see him being deadly with an opposing team's D being focused on Sid & being forechecked by Kunitz.

Yeah, a big no to Dupuis for Grabner. Trading heart for talent doesn't usually work out. Doesn't look like it will with Moulson for Vanek.

Yeah, a big no to Dupuis for Grabner. Trading heart for talent doesn't usually work out. Doesn't look like it will with Moulson for Vanek.
- hardnosed

Would love to see Moulson on the Pens, but that ain't happening either. He has skill, grit, and a great work ethic. Total package.

Trading a 30G scorer in Moulson for a 40G scorer in Vanek isn't much of an upgrade, but throwing in a 1st in 2014 & a 2nd in 2015 on top of that is insane. All that for an extra 10G a year? Crazy.

Not disputing your post at all, i just think that's crazy.

Now your point about swapping out Dupuis for him, no, sorry, can't get behind that at all.
- canadianpenfan

I think we can all pretty much say we love Duper and think he can work his way out of his "slump"

Not sure anybody loves him as much as you do though, CPF.

I think we can all pretty much say we love Duper and think he can work his way out of his "slump"

Not sure anybody loves him as much as you do though, CPF.
- HopintheCordoba

I admit it, I'm a big Duper and Bylsma fan. Someone has to even things out around here...


edit- but Dupes is fighting it right now, no denying that.

I admit it, I'm a big Duper and Bylsma fan. Someone has to even things out around here...


edit- but Dupes is fighting it right now, no denying that.
- canadianpenfan

He's been due for a slump. It seemed like everything he shot the past 2 years went in the net. He seems like such a conscientious guy that I'm sure he is worried about playing up to his contract and gripping the stick a bit too tightly.

I admit it, I'm a big Duper and Bylsma fan. Someone has to even things out around here...


edit- but Dupes is fighting it right now, no denying that.
- canadianpenfan

I love Duper too. Nothing wrong with that at all. Seems like he's not getting as many opportunities. Not for lack of work though. I think he breaks through soon. He's too quick and too smart.

@Penguins: "#Pens are 33-7 in games @Despres747 has played in dating back to last season. How #47 has been improving consistency."

That is certainly some food for thought. I thought he looked incredible last night. Better than Letang defensively.

@Penguins: "#Pens are 33-7 in games @Despres747 has played in dating back to last season. How #47 has been improving consistency."

That is certainly some food for thought. I thought he looked incredible last night. Better than Letang defensively.
- kill.monsters

Not exactly setting the bar high there.

It would be interesting to see how many turnovers per game the Penguins averaged while Letang was hurt vs when he's been playing. He's always made suspect decisions with the puck, but lately its been worse than I can remember. He also misses the net way too much when they set him up for one timers.

Agreed on the refs last night, but Vanek has been in the league long enough to know the refs are going to be looking for *ANY* excuse to call a back-side PP in that situation.
- Emperor Filonius

"]It would be interesting to see how many turnovers per game the Penguins averaged while Letang was hurt vs when he's been playing."

This..... Intriguing indeed!!

@Penguins: "#Pens are 33-7 in games @Despres747 has played in dating back to last season. How #47 has been improving consistency."

That is certainly some food for thought. I thought he looked incredible last night. Better than Letang defensively.
- kill.monsters

I would love to see the Despres and Letang pairing again. I thought they looked damn good together last year.

Not sure I like a 19 year old rookie trying to cover for Letang's frequent gaffes.

I want to play goalie for Nashville! I could be a nobody and they would make me into a multimillion dollar goalie!

Does anybody else hate the NBC announcers ?

Hey Gunner,

Should TB call up Drouin? He is killing it... I feel the situation is like Maatta... His talents are wasting away in minors...

Hey Gunner,

Should TB call up Drouin? He is killing it... I feel the situation is like Maatta... His talents are wasting away in minors...
- nh4442

I'm not so sure they can unless it is deemed some kind of emergency status

Crosby's goal explains why other teams despise us. Crazy goal. Jumped off the couch with a double fist pump! (and I was tired) Crosby

Crosby's goal explains why other teams despise us. Crazy goal. Jumped off the couch with a double fist pump! (and I was tired) Crosby
- powerhouse

I thought that was an awesome goal by Sid but Geno's goal against Tampa in the "Shades of Mario" mode was just beautiful.

We are so spoiled..

I was thinking I'm glad we kept Maata, even though it seemed like too many D on the team at the time. Also making MAF our number one guy even though we were wondering why not Vokoun looks like the right decision now as well. So, even though we criticize management and coaching sometimes I think they should get complements when deserved.

The next Ron Francis

The next Ron Francis
- BulliesPhan87

Nah. Ronnie Francis had all of his teeth.

The next Ron Francis
- BulliesPhan87

Nice win over Detroit. Looks like you guys don't suck anymore, oh well. To me, Mason is keeping you guys in it. He has been outstanding. I am surprised.

Nice win over Detroit. Looks like you guys don't suck anymore, oh well. To me, Mason is keeping you guys in it. He has been outstanding. I am surprised.
- powerhouse

Mason has been nothing short of a godsend, I'm not sure we'd have any wins without him. Lots of dumb tonight, but they worked hard to get back in it.